A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 339

339. Demon

A warrior with short red hair, clad in red armor, swung his sword at the onrushing demon.

“Haa!”

*Swish.*

The sharp blade deeply slashed the demon’s foreleg.

It was a grievous wound that would have stopped any ordinary beast, but the demon, ignoring the injury, lunged forward, jaws wide open.

*Kaa-ack.*

The moment he saw that maw full of sharp teeth, the warrior instinctively knew his neck was about to be torn off.

“Danger!”

*Whoosh.*

With a rush of wind, a spearhead flashed past the warrior’s shoulder and lodged itself in the demon’s open mouth. A fellow warrior behind him had thrown his spear to save him.

*Thud.*

The demon’s head was pierced, and dark red blood splattered across the snow. The warrior who had thrown the spear immediately retrieved it.

“Thanks.”

The warrior said without even turning around.

It was a dangerously close call that could have easily killed him, but ultimately, it had saved his life. Besides, with their skills, this level of danger was hardly worth mentioning.

*Krrr.*

Red eyes, filled with hostility, glared at the warrior.

Those eyes, seemingly filled with endless animosity and hatred, sent a chill down even the stout-hearted warrior’s spine.

‘These cursed demons…’

The warrior gritted his teeth. Even a wolf that had lost its cub wouldn’t possess such a look.

‘Where on earth did these things come from…?’

Eyes dyed red like blood and a grotesquely torn mouth.

At first glance, they resembled wolves, but they were far from it.

They never retreated or fled, even when wounded. They didn’t fear humans, and they even devoured each other.

In this western region—no, in this world—there had never been such beasts. Some time ago, people had started calling these beasts ‘demons.’ Demonic monsters [creatures of supernatural origin] that shouldn’t exist in this world.

*Krrr.*

A demon glared at the warrior, growling softly.

Its torn mouth, extending past its chin, was filled with countless sharp teeth. Dark red clumps, whether mud or blood, clung to its body, emitting a foul stench.

*Pat.*

Seizing an opportunity, a demon pounced silently.

“Haa!”

The warrior brought his sword down with force. His opponents were demons who didn’t fear being cut. But perhaps because of that, the demons’ attacks were recklessly simple.

*Thud.*

The warrior’s sword, imbued with inner force [internal energy cultivated through martial arts], easily split the charging demon’s head in two. But another demon, seizing that opening, lunged at him.

*Swish.*

The warrior, already anticipating the attack, quickly slashed his sword.

*Thud.*

His sword tore through the demon, and dark red blood splattered everywhere. The warrior, covered in blood, didn’t even blink, but he couldn’t hide his ragged breathing.

‘Tch.’

The warriors, trained for a long time, possessed the courage not to back down even before demons, and the strength to kill them in a single blow. But there were simply too many demons.

The warriors guarding the carriage numbered five, while the demons numbered dozens, and that was excluding the ones already lying scattered around.

Numerical superiority and a recklessness that feared nothing.

That was the simplest and most certain way these demons drove everything that stood in their way to death.

“Kuh.”

A groan came from behind. Behind a demon with a spear through its neck, a comrade clutching his shoulder was visible. The warrior, wary of the demons, immediately moved towards him.

“Are you alright?”

“I… I’m fine.”

The injured comrade said, his face hardened. But the warrior’s shoulder clearly showed the mark of a demon’s teeth. The warrior’s expression hardened upon seeing it.

The demons’ teeth contained a potent poison—a deadly poison that could fell even a large bear before long. The demons’ claws, filled with stench, were also dangerous. They weren’t poisonous, but if not treated properly, the wounds would fester.

‘This is bad.’

The warrior and his comrade both knew that if he didn’t receive proper treatment soon, he would die.

*Krrr.*

Perhaps sensing their advantage, the demons slowly gathered. Five warriors were already not enough, but if there were only four, annihilation was only a matter of time.

The warrior glanced back at the small carriage behind them. A person they had to protect was riding in that carriage, its surroundings covered with red curtains.

He didn’t fear death, but this carriage, this person, had to be protected at all costs, even if it meant giving up all their lives.

The warrior gritted his teeth and gripped his sword. But it was becoming an unavoidable situation where their blood would be spilled on this cold snowfield.

“Ugh.”

Was the poison taking effect? A groan escaped the lips of the comrade holding the spear, and his spear tip wavered. And the demons didn’t miss that moment.

*Kaa-ack.*

The demons, who had been waiting for an opening, lunged at them all at once. The warrior, feeling despair, tightened his grip on his sword.

It was the moment when the gruesome maws were about to engulf the warriors.

*Hoo-woong.*

A tremendous force surged towards them.

No, to be precise, it was towards the demons engulfing them.

*Boom.*

The immense force instantly blew away the rushing demons. The demons screamed for the first time, flying helplessly into the air.

*Kyaa-ang. Kyae-ang.*

The sight of the demons screaming and flying was a very unfamiliar one to the warriors.

He turned his head to look at the direction from which the force had emanated, and he noticed a boy standing there for the first time.

“T, these bastards…”

The boy’s voice, trembling with anger, echoed. The foreign boy, dressed in unfamiliar clothes, held a beautiful horsehair whisk [a ceremonial or ritual object] in his hand, resembling an animal’s tail.

The warrior stared blankly at the boy.

The boy’s appearance was a bit disheveled, but even that couldn’t hide his handsome features. The handsome boy trembled with anger and said,

“These guys are definitely not wolves! Our wolves aren’t like this!”

*Hoo-woong.*

It was a language the warrior couldn’t understand. But the moment the boy shouted loudly and swung the horsehair whisk, the tremendous force that had saved them a moment ago surged towards the warrior and the demons.

‘Ugh!’

The warrior reflexively lowered his body, trying to protect himself from that immense force, but there was no need to do so.

*Sarak.*

The immense force pouring from the horsehair whisk brushed past the warrior and his comrades like a gentle breeze. Even the carriage’s curtains barely moved.

But that gentle breeze became a merciless storm for the demons.

*Puh-uh-ung.*

*Kyae-ang, Kya-ang.*

The demons were helplessly blown away. Those who didn’t even fear blades were now flying through the air in ridiculous poses, letting out pitiful screams.

Faced with this unbelievable sight, the warrior could only stare blankly at the boy and the demons, speechless.

“What are you doing?”

An old man with a white beard appeared behind the boy. He frowned and spoke in a language that the warrior couldn’t understand either.

“Why aren’t you killing them? You should only use those tricks against people.”

“Ah, right. It’s become a habit. Hehe.”

The boy smiled innocently, as if his anger from a moment ago was a lie. When the handsome boy smiled, it felt like the surroundings brightened.

“But how do I kill them with Hongjin Manri?”

The white-bearded old man, Old Gun, answered confidently.

“I don’t know. I’ve never seen the True Man [a Taoist term for a perfected individual] kill anyone. It would be possible with Seon Sword, but Bin-i has it… If you don’t know, just do it with your bare hands.”

Although it was with bare hands, Seorin’s Jogon (爪功) [claw technique], which emitted energy, was deadly. Whether it was a spear or a sword, it would break like a twig in front of Seorin’s fingers. Only sword energy or blade energy could counter Seorin’s Jogon.

“Ew. With my hands? I don’t want to.”

Seorin said, wrinkling his face. Then Old Gun also frowned.

“Then should I do it?”

“You have So-ryeong Sword. Use that.”

“Hey, Soryeong will be upset if she hears that. Soryeong isn’t something you carry around to catch those things.”

The warrior couldn’t understand the bickering of the two, but he could clearly tell that the atmosphere was light.

“It’s dangerous! Those demons won’t…”

The warrior hurriedly shouted at them. They were demons who didn’t fear being cut by blades, or even death. There was no way they would retreat just from being blown away by the force.

*Krrr.*

As he said, the demons were already gathering again. Dozens of demons glared at the two newly appeared people, burning with animosity.

But neither Seorin nor Old Gun were afraid. Old Gun was completely ignoring them, and Seorin, who looked like he would really have to deal with them with his bare hands, was about to cry.

“Wait.”

A heavy voice was heard from behind Seorin and Old Gun. Seorin turned around.

*Thud, thud.*

Saja-hyeok was walking over. Seorin quickly stepped aside. The giant Saja-hyeok strode forward and stood between Old Gun and Seorin.

*Krrr.*

The demons were revealing their ferocious aggression with eyes full of animosity.

The sight of those blood-red eyes and distorted maws was enough to make even a seasoned warrior feel a chill, but Saja-hyeok simply looked at them with calm eyes.

*Krrk.*

In an instant, the demons’ state changed. Old Gun clearly saw something other than hostility and hatred mixed in their blood-red eyes.

It was bewilderment.

“Huh?”

The moment Old Gun frowned, the demons’ bewilderment disappeared.

*Krrr.*

Enmity and hatred filled the demons’ eyes again. No, it was an even more intense and blatant murderous intent than before.

“How dare these cursed insignificant things…”

Instinctive anger and animosity welled up in Old Gun’s chest. He unconsciously reached for Soryeong Sword, but Saja-hyeok was faster.

*Whoong.*

The moment it felt like an immense energy was gathering towards Saja-hyeok, Saja-hyeok’s greatsword, Pa-wol, was already being swung down towards the demons.

*Kwaang.*

It was a distance that the blade couldn’t reach, but as if not caring about such things, tremendous destructive power poured towards the demons.

*Puh-puk, puk.*

The demons in front were instantly blown apart, and dark red blood splattered everywhere. But instead of retreating or fleeing, the demons emitted an even more intense murderous intent and lunged at Saja-hyeok.

It was truly an animosity that disregarded their own lives.

*Hoo-woong.*

But Saja-hyeok’s black greatsword, Pa-wol, mocked such animosity from the demons. Saja-hyeok’s Pa-wol, which had greatly cleaved the air, was drawn horizontally, emitting energy.

Before Saja-hyeok’s sword stance that divided the sky and the earth, the demons’ claws and maws were already meaningless.

*Puh-pung.*

The demons were literally bisected without even being able to scream. Even those who were outside of Pa-wol’s trajectory had their bodies torn apart by the tremendous aftermath.

But Saja-hyeok’s Pa-wol didn’t stop and cleaved the air again in the opposite direction.

“Wow, no mercy…”

Seorin covered his mouth with the horsehair whisk, watching the scene unfolding before his eyes, and muttered. Old Gun next to him said in a scolding tone,

“It’s natural not to have mercy on things that aren’t human. We don’t need to know the circumstances of those things.”

But even Old Gun, who said that, was frowning. The scene of blood pouring like rain on the snowfield wasn’t good for him either.

Sa Soo-yeon, as well as Son Bin who arrived later, and the Hyeolbong Geumsaryeon [likely a group or organization name], all had hardened expressions at the sight, but the former Jade Dragon, who had been watching all along, didn’t change his expression at all.

*Swish.*

Saja-hyeok sheathed the greatsword, Pa-wol. There were still a few demons alive, but they were no longer a threat.

*Krrk, krrr.*

The demons were still revealing their animosity, looking at this side while not being able to properly control their bodies. But at this rate, they would just die even if left alone.

The dozens of demons had been neutralized in literally an instant.

“Well, at least it’s better than us getting covered in blood.”

Old Gun muttered. No matter how skilled Seorin and Old Gun were, they wouldn’t have been able to avoid getting dirty if there were this many demons.

Seorin hesitated whether to say thank you, but Saja-hyeok didn’t even give him a chance and brushed past him.

*Thud.*

The target Saja-hyeok headed towards was the warriors in red clothes who had been guarding the carriage. The warriors, wearing martial uniforms close to monastic robes, all revealed their wariness.

They knew that Saja-hyeok had saved them from the crisis.

But even so, the sight Saja-hyeok had shown was so shocking that wariness instinctively surged.

“W, wait a minute! Please wait a moment!”

Hwang Bang-ju hurriedly ran in front of Saja-hyeok. He, who had been gaping from behind, quickly stepped forward when Saja-hyeok approached the warriors.

Saja-hyeok stopped walking. Hwang Bang-ju ran in front of Saja-hyeok, bowed his head to ask for understanding, and then turned towards the warriors.

Then, he held the rosary he had been wearing around his neck in his hand, bowed his head respectfully, and clasped his hands together.

“Hmm.”

The wary warriors seemed momentarily flustered by Hwang Bang-ju’s respectful greeting, but soon, they also bowed their heads to receive the greeting. Hwang Bang-ju’s tense expression relaxed at the greeting. At least now they were in a state where they could communicate.

“Are you a merchant from the east?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Hwang Bang-ju said politely in fluent Tibetan to the warrior’s question.

“We have no intention of causing harm at all. It’s just that this person doesn’t know the customs here…”

That was when Hwang Bang-ju was saying that with a business smile on his face.

*Sarak.*

The red curtain covering the carriage opened, and from within, a young woman, adorned with elaborate decorations, necklaces so large that Son Bin thought they were gaudy, and colorful ornaments, stepped down to the ground.

“Princess!”

The warrior exclaimed in surprise. She, a precious person of noble status who originally didn’t even show herself to the people of Tibet, had come out of the carriage herself.

*Swish.*

The princess raised her hand to stop the warrior. The warrior immediately knelt on one knee and bowed his head to receive her will. Not only that, but the other warriors also quickly sheathed their swords and knelt on one knee before her, bowing their heads.

“O, oh…”

Hwang Bang-ju stammered in surprise. It wasn’t because he didn’t know who she was; the fact that he had seen her in front of him was what confused him.

“That’s the Living Buddha’s rosary.”

She recognized the rosary hanging in Hwang Bang-ju’s hand. Only then did Hwang Bang-ju come to his senses. Hwang Bang-ju, realizing the gazes of the warriors that had been directed at him since earlier, quickly knelt down.

“Y, yes, that’s…”

“The group of the person who saved my life is a person recognized by the Living Buddha, how truly grateful is this.”

The princess put her hands together, closed her eyes, and chanted the Buddha’s name in a low voice.

It was as she said. The reason Hwang Bang-ju had this rosary in his hand was because it was the most certain way to prove his identity, although the warriors were late in realizing it.

But the warriors themselves were now sending cold gazes towards Hwang Bang-ju. It was because Saja-hyeok and the other members of the group were still not showing proper respect.

“It’s alright. These people are foreigners, so we can’t blame them for not knowing our customs.”

The princess said that as if she had noticed the warriors’ gazes, and she turned her head towards Saja-hyeok.

“‘Go to the path of death. Then the path to life will open.’ Before leaving, the Living Buddha said that to me.”

She said clearly, looking at Saja-hyeok. It seemed like she meant for him to translate, so Hwang Bang-ju quickly conveyed the princess’s words to Saja-hyeok in a low voice.

He also told him that she was of noble status, but Saja-hyeok still didn’t budge. He only looked down at the princess with his deep eyes.

“I thought that was a word about my role in overcoming this situation, but it wasn’t.”

With eyes shining more brightly than ever, she looked straight at Saja-hyeok. Even Saja-hyeok’s gaze, which would have intimidated anyone, didn’t seem to bother her.

“That was a word that meant you.”

Her gaze and Saja-hyeok’s gaze met each other, but Saja-hyeok was looking down at her with indifferent and calm eyes.

Old Gun, who had been watching the two, frowned and asked Hwang Bang-ju,

“Who is this woman dressed so messily? What is she saying?”

Old Gun’s impression was honest. Her attire was truly messy—of course, only from Old Gun’s point of view—but it was more than accurate. But Hwang Bang-ju was startled.

“This woman! Th, this person is…”

Hwang Bang-ju said, even stammering.

“This person is the princess of Potala [a palace in Lhasa, Tibet]. She’s someone that ordinary people can’t even see in their lifetime.”

Hwang Bang-ju blurted out as if he was screaming, but Old Gun’s reaction was lukewarm.

“I’ve seen a lot of princesses.”

Old Gun muttered as if he didn’t have any particular feelings. Hwang Bang-ju opened his mouth in disbelief with a dumbfounded expression.

Watching that scene, Son Bin gave a bitter smile. Suddenly, thoughts of whether everyone was doing well in the Seowon [a Korean Confucian academy] flooded in.

(Author’s words)

The subtitle should be ‘Poor Demons’.

A princess is a common occurrence in Son Bin’s group. But aren’t they going to treat the warrior?